Coventry Magistrates鈥� Court heard that on 28th November 2018 two self-employed workers received serious burns to their hands. They were working for Unique Envelope Fa莽ade Solution, doing repair work at AVL Powertrain on Viggen Way in Coventry.
The incident occurred while using a drill to attach a pre-fabricated cowling to a cable tray. One of the fixings went into a cable, striking one of the phases and causing an explosion. Both men were injured.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Unique Envelope Fa莽ade Solution Limited鈥檚 risk assessments and method statements did not consider the risk of drilling into cable trays containing live cables, isolating the electrics to complete work, or other methods of fixing that did not involve drilling.
Unique Envelope Fa莽ade Solutions Ltd of Winster Grove Industrial Estate, Great Barr, Birmingham pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. The company was fined 拢20,160 and ordered to pay costs of 拢1,178, as well as a victim surcharge of 拢170.
HSE inspector Gareth Langston said after the case: 鈥淭his incident demonstrated the importance of the role of those preparing the job. The company overlooked the 415V 3 phase cabling they were drilling in towards. A cable strike, even at this voltage, can cause a major explosion.
鈥淭his incident has left two men with long-lasting burn injuries and they are now unable to work for a long time.鈥�
Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk
